It has begun; more and more houses are popping up with festive lights circling tree trunks, filling branches, lining fences, covering bushes and tracing roof lines. There are even a few plastic Santas and wire reindeer “making noise” up on the rooftop of many houses. These decorations bring joy and help spread holiday cheer, but emergency department doctors warn homeowners in Houston to take care while putting them up.
Dr. Bhagat, Director of Operations for Memorial Emergency Center hopes to see fewer emergency room visits this year over holiday decorating mishaps. Past history has showed that these types of injuries definitely tend to increase at about this time every year.
Falls from heights are some of the most common injuries that Dr. Bhagat treats during the December holiday season. He asked that homeowners not only use caution while climbing a ladder indoors and out, but he instructed them to make sure that it is steadily in place and have an extra set of hands holding onto it.
Other common injuries suffered during this time of year include cuts and burns as individuals prep for one of the biggest meals of the year. It might surprise some — and then again it might not — to learn that stress-related injuries also increase, present in the form of chest pain. Of course, Dr. Bhagat said to watch the alcohol consumption, and especially make sure to keep it out of the reach of children.
Let’s face it; despite our best efforts, accidents do still occur somewhat frequently. Trauma to the back, head, neck or any other part of the body could leave an individual with a disability that takes them out of the workplace for a year or even more. An individual may be able to obtain Social Security disability benefits for an injury suffered under these or similar circumstances.
Source: Your Houston News, “Memorial Emergency Center encourages extra precautions during holiday season,” Dec. 9, 2013